Awards - 4th Marine Raider Battalion

Good Conduct Medal - USMC

The Good Conduct Medal (GCM) is given to any enlisted U.S. personnel who carry out three consecutive years of "honorable and faithful service." Such service insinuates that a standard enlistment was achieved without any non-judicial punishments, disciplinary infractions, or court martial offenses. If a service member commits an offense, the three-year mark "resets" and a service member needs to complete an additional three years of discipline free service before the Good Conduct can be recognized. During times of war, the AGCM can be granted for one year of faithful service. The medal can also be granted posthumously, to any soldier killed in the line of duty. To define additional decorations of the award, a series of Good Conduct Knots are dispensed as attachments to the decoration. Service for the AGCM needs to be executed on active duty and the medal is not awarded to personnel of the Army reserve or National Guard who are not federalized to active service. For the Reserve and Guard personnel who satisfactorily accomplish annual training and drill duty, however, the Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal may be granted in lieu.

Awarded to personnel for completing six months of active service without any disciplinary actions filed against them.

Good Conduct Medal - ARMY

The Good Conduct Medal (GCM) is given to any enlisted U.S. personnel who carry out three consecutive years of "honorable and faithful service." Such service insinuates that a standard enlistment was achieved without any non-judicial punishments, disciplinary infractions, or court martial offenses. If a service member commits an offense, the three-year mark "resets" and a service member needs to complete an additional three years of discipline free service before the Good Conduct can be recognized. During times of war, the AGCM can be granted for one year of faithful service. The medal can also be granted posthumously, to any soldier killed in the line of duty. To define additional decorations of the award, a series of Good Conduct Knots are dispensed as attachments to the decoration. Service for the AGCM needs to be executed on active duty and the medal is not awarded to personnel of the Army reserve or National Guard who are not federalized to active service. For the Reserve and Guard personnel who satisfactorily accomplish annual training and drill duty, however, the Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal may be granted in lieu.

Awarded to personnel for completing six months of active service without any disciplinary actions filed against them.

Good Conduct Medal - USN

The Good Conduct Medal (GCM) is given to any enlisted U.S. personnel who carry out three consecutive years of "honorable and faithful service." Such service insinuates that a standard enlistment was achieved without any non-judicial punishments, disciplinary infractions, or court martial offenses. If a service member commits an offense, the three-year mark "resets" and a service member needs to complete an additional three years of discipline free service before the Good Conduct can be recognized. During times of war, the AGCM can be granted for one year of faithful service. The medal can also be granted posthumously, to any soldier killed in the line of duty. To define additional decorations of the award, a series of Good Conduct Knots are dispensed as attachments to the decoration. Service for the AGCM needs to be executed on active duty and the medal is not awarded to personnel of the Army reserve or National Guard who are not federalized to active service. For the Reserve and Guard personnel who satisfactorily accomplish annual training and drill duty, however, the Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal may be granted in lieu.

Awarded to personnel for completing six months of active service without any disciplinary actions filed against them.

Armed Forces Service Medal (AFSM)

The Armed Forces Service Medal (AFSM) is an award of the U.S. military and was established on January 11th, 1996. The AFSM is given to personnel who partake in "significant activity" for which no other service or campaign medal is accredited. The term "significant activity" is determined by theater commanders and is usually deemed to be participation in a U.S. military operation considered to hold a high degree of scope, impact, and international significance that the operation warrants the presentation of a permanent service medal. The individual standard for the AFSM specifies that a service member must achieve at least 30 consecutive days in a geographical theater region to qualify for the decoration. Aircrew personnel may attain the award if a total of 30 mission days was performed flying into and out of the given area.

The Armed Forces Service Medal is awarded to personnel that have completed a year of active service in the 4th Marine Raider Battalion. Only to be awarded once

National Defense Service Medal

The National Defense Service Medal (NDSM) is a decoration presented to recognize all military members who have served in active duty during a declared "national emergency". To be eligible, members must have served honorably during one of the following time periods: The Korean War from June 27, 1950 - July 27, 1954; The Vietnam War from January 1, 1961 - August 14, 1974; The Gulf War from August 2, 1990 - November 30, 1995; the War on Terrorism from September 11, 2001 - a yet to be determined date. There is no requirement on the amount of time served within the time frames. Subsequent NDSM awards for active service in more than one of the eligible time periods are denoted by service stars worn on the original award ribbon.

Awarded to all personnel who have completed a minimum of 1 operation (deployed in defense of the nation) or have provided critical operational support during a time where the unit was deployed into an active combat zone.

Air Medal (AM)

The Air Medal (AM) is given to military personnel for meritorious achievement while participating in aerial flight; awards may also be given to acknowledge single acts of merit or heroism. The AM is mainly intended to recognize those personnel who are on current crew member or non-crew member flying status which requires them to engage in aerial flight on a regular and frequent basis in the pursuit of their primary duties. However, the AM may also be granted to other particular individuals whose combat obligations require regular and frequent flying in other than a passenger status, or individuals who complete a specifically noteworthy act while performing the function of a crew member but who are not on flying status. These individuals must accomplish a distinct contribution to the operational land combat mission or to the mission of the aircraft in flight. The AM was established on May 11,1942 and was awarded retroactive to September 8, 1939.

The AM is awarded to 4thMRB members for meritorious achievement while participating in aerial flight while performing acts of merit or heroism either as a crewmember of the airframe, pilot, or non-crew member who is on flying status. These individuals must accomplish a distinct contribution to the operational land combat mission or to the mission of the aircraft in flight.

Distinguished Service Medal (DSM) - USMC and USN

The Army Distinguished Service Medal (DSM) is granted to any soldier who, distinguishes themselves with exceptionally meritorious service to the U.S. in a duty of great responsibility. The achievement must be of a level as to merit acknowledgement for service that is positively "exceptional." Exceptional performance of ordinary duties does not alone justify the award. For service not associated with actual war, the term "duty of a great responsibility" applies to a restricted range of positions than in a time of war, and commands proof of conspicuously indicative achievement. However, justification of the award may increase by virtue of exceptionally meritorious service in a sequence of higher positions of great significance. Due to the medal's criteria, majority of the recipients of the DSM are general officers. Awards can be given to personnel other than members of the U.S. Armed Forces for wartime services only, and then exclusively under exceptional circumstances, with express Presidential approval. Separate DSMs were established for the individual U.S. branches of service as well as a fifth version of the medal (a senior award of the U.S. Department of Defense).

The DSM is awarded to all 4th MRB personnel who distinguishes themselves with exceptionally meritorious service to the unit in a duty of great responsibility where such service is outside of their MOS/DMOS and has a direct and substantial positive impact on the unit and has been a member for at least twelve (12) months.

Distinguished Service Medal (DSM) - ARMY

The Army Distinguished Service Medal (DSM) is granted to any soldier who, distinguishes themselves with exceptionally meritorious service to the U.S. in a duty of great responsibility. The achievement must be of a level as to merit acknowledgement for service that is positively "exceptional." Exceptional performance of ordinary duties does not alone justify the award. For service not associated with actual war, the term "duty of a great responsibility" applies to a restricted range of positions than in a time of war, and commands proof of conspicuously indicative achievement. However, justification of the award may increase by virtue of exceptionally meritorious service in a sequence of higher positions of great significance. Due to the medal's criteria, majority of the recipients of the DSM are general officers. Awards can be given to personnel other than members of the U.S. Armed Forces for wartime services only, and then exclusively under exceptional circumstances, with express Presidential approval. Separate DSMs were established for the individual U.S. branches of service as well as a fifth version of the medal (a senior award of the U.S. Department of Defense).

The DSM is awarded to all 4th MRB personnel who distinguishes themselves with exceptionally meritorious service to the unit in a duty of great responsibility where such service is outside of their MOS/DMOS and has a direct and substantial positive impact on the unit and has been a member for at least twelve (12) months.

Defense Meritorious Service Medal (DMSM)

The Defense Meritorious Service Medal (DMSM) is an award presented in the name of the Secretary of Defense to members of the Armed Forces. It is the third-highest award that the Department of Defense issues, and is awarded to those who distinguish themselves through non-combat meritorious service or achievement, in a joint capacity. Created on November 3rd, 1977 by President Jimmy Carter's Executive Order 12019, it was first awarded to Major Terrell G Covington of the United States Army.<br/>Similar to the Meritorious Service Medal, the DMSM is awarded for multi-service assignments, while the MSM is awarded for service to a specific branch. Subsequent awards are denoted by wearing a bronze Oak Leaf Cluster on the medal or service ribbon.

The DMSM medal is awarded to all 4th MRB personnel who distinguished themselves through non-combat meritorious service or achievement in a joint capacity for multi-service assignments.

Achievement Medal - USMC and USN

The Achievement Medal (AM) is a decoration presented to service members who have performed commendably in routine duties or exceptional achievements, that have not been recognized by a higher award. It was originally created to honor junior members who are not generally eligible for the Commendation Medal or the Meritorious Service Medal. Subsequent awards are denoted by silver and gold stars worn on the ribbon.

Awarded to members who perform at a higher level than their peers for a specific action or duty in a consistent manner and have had no major disciplinary actions in the past 6 months.

Achievement Medal - ARMY

The Achievement Medal (AM) is a decoration presented to service members who have performed commendably in routine duties or exceptional achievements, that have not been recognized by a higher award. It was originally created to honor junior members who are not generally eligible for the Commendation Medal or the Meritorious Service Medal. Subsequent awards are denoted by silver and gold stars worn on the ribbon.

Awarded to members who perform at a higher level than their peers for a specific action or duty in a consistent manner and have had no major disciplinary actions in the past 6 months.

Defense Superior Service Medal (DSSM)

The Defense Superior Service Medal (DSSM) is the second highest award bestowed by the Department of Defense. Awarded in the name of the Secretary of Defense, the award is presented to members of the U.S. Armed Forces who perform "superior meritorious service in a position of significant responsibility." Created on February 6th, 1976 by President Gerald R. Ford's Executive Order 11904, it is typically awarded only to senior officers of the Flag and General Officer grade.

The DSSM medal is awarded to all 4th MRB personnel who perform superior meritorious service in a position of significant responsibility and has been a member for at least 12 months and are senior officers of the flag and General Officer Grade.

Distinguished Flying Cross Medal (DFCM)

The Distinguished Flying Cross Medal (DFC) is an award that is bestowed upon any officer of enlisted personnel of the United States Armed Forces who distinguishes themselves in support of operations by "heroism or extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight." The medal was created on July 2nd, 1926 and the first awards were bestowed by President Calvin Coolidge on December 21st, 1927 to ten Army Air Corps aviators who participated in the US Army Pan-American Flight. Two of those awards were bestowed posthumously as they had died in a mid-air collision during that flight. The first person to actually be presented with the medal was Charles Lindbergh after returning from his trans-Atlantic Flight.
While it has been used to honor both civilian and military achievement, it is now almost exclusively a military award. Also, due to the advancements in aerial technology, the requirements for the award have varied from conflict to conflict, theater to theater.

The DFCM medal is awarded to all 4th MRB personnel for distinguished performance in support of operations by heroism or extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight.

Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal

The Distinguished Flying Cross Medal (DFC) is an award that is bestowed upon any officer of enlisted personnel of the United States Armed Forces who distinguishes themselves in support of operations by "heroism or extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight." The medal was created on July 2nd, 1926 and the first awards were bestowed by President Calvin Coolidge on December 21st, 1927 to ten Army Air Corps aviators who participated in the US Army Pan-American Flight. Two of those awards were bestowed posthumously as they had died in a mid-air collision during that flight. The first person to actually be presented with the medal was Charles Lindbergh after returning from his trans-Atlantic Flight.
While it has been used to honor both civilian and military achievement, it is now almost exclusively a military award. Also, due to the advancements in aerial technology, the requirements for the award have varied from conflict to conflict, theater to theater.

The DFCM medal is awarded to all 4th MRB personnel for distinguished performance in support of operations by heroism or extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight.

Joint Service Achievement Medal

The Joint Service Achievement Medal (JSAM) is a decoration presented by the United States Secretary of Defense to officers below the grade of O-6 and enlisted members below the grade of E-7 who, while serving in a joint military command or activity, have performed either an exceptional achievement or commendable service that has not been recognized by a Commendation Medal. Subsequent awards are denoted by Oak Leaf Clusters worn on the service medal.

Awarded to members who show professionalism while attending at least one event hosted by another unit and display conduct in benefit of the 4th MRB

Joint Service Commendation Medal

The Joint Service Commendation Medal (JSCM) is a decoration presented by the United States Armed Forces to individuals who, while serving as a senior on a joint military staff, have performed either an exceedingly heroic act, exceptional achievement, or commendable service that has not been recognized by a higher award. When the medal is issued for an event that occurred while in active combat, the "Valor" or "V" device is authorized to be worn with the medal. Subsequent awards are denoted by Oak Leaf Clusters worn on the service medal.

Awarded to members for attending at least three events hosted by another unit and distinguished themselves through demonstration of professional conduct which benefits the 4thMRB.

Legion of Merit Medal

The Legion of Merit Medal (LM, LOM) is a decoration presented by the United States Armed Forces to members of the United States Military, as well as foreign military members and political figures, who have displayed exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services and achievements. The performance must be of significant importance and far exceed what is expected by normal standards.

This is awarded to unit members for exceptional conduct in the performance of services and achievements and has been a member for at least 6 months.

Meritorious Service Medal

The Meritorious Service Medal (MSM) is a decoration presented by the United States Armed Forces to recognize superior and exceptional non-combat service that does not meet the caliber of the Legion of Merit Medal. As of September 11, 2001, this award may also be issued for outstanding service in specific combat theater. The majority of recipients are field grade officers, senior warrant officers, senior non-commissioned officers and foreign military personnel in the ranks of O-6 and below. Subsequent awards are denoted by bronze oak leafs for Army and Air Force members, and gold stars for Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard members.

This is awarded to members of the unit for meritorious conduct in the performance of services and achievements that does not meet the caliber of the Legion of Merit Medal and have been a member for at least 3 months.